Master strokes from Popet Lizardo

It is important for kids and even adults to have goals. Having goals allows a person to wake up each morning feeling refreshed and better equipped to take on life. At least, this is what I believe. The path to realizing one’s dreams is never easy. This is why I always admire people – be they professionals, scholars, businessmen, or athletes, who defy the odds and climb their way up through hard work and dedication to become whoever they want to be.

Joseph Lizardo, or Popet, as most know him, is certainly a person who never shied away from setting goals for himself. Earning his first national junior championship at the age of 13, then going on to represent the country at the Davis Cup and other international tennis competitions, Popet has done much in the tennis arena – a sport so seldom given attention here, to make this country proud. Fellow Davis Cupper and legendary tennis champion Felix Barrientos adds, "Popet’s discipline and work ethics are one of the best I have ever come across. He is a dependable teammate and can be fully counted on in times of great pressure."

Sitting formally at the table, all dressed up, with his soon-to-be-wife and MTV VJ Belinda Panelo by his side, it is quite hard to imagine that this is the same man who was smashing balls out on the tennis courts but a few moments ago. Yet, when he starts talking, his evident passion for the sport is undeniable.

Tell me, what got you interested in playing tennis?

My brother was one of the top junior players in the Philippines. I loved to watch him play. I always picked up balls for him and watched him play in all the tournaments. I guess it also helped that the tennis court was located right in front of our house. I could stay on the tennis court all night. If there were a lot of people playing, I would be patient and wait till it was my turn. I would just play mini tennis on the side with a wooden paddle. Sometimes, the older players would intentionally make the matches longer to maximize their court time and this made me so upset. (Laughing) I would wait anyway.

What was your childhood like?

My memories of childhood are very happy. Most of it is tennis. I went to St. Gabriel Academy for grade school, UST for HS, and Temple University, Philadelphia, PA for college. I got a full scholarship in tennis and graduated with a double degree in International Business and Marketing. I started competing internationally at the age of 12. I earned my first ITF junior title in Brunei; my first professional ATP point at the age of 16. I played at the Jr. Wimbledon in 1985 and 1986. I also played at the Jr. US open in 1986. I was qualified to play at the other grand slams but school was always the priority. I held the top spot in all categories. Sometimes, two categories at the same time.

Were your parents supportive?

Yes. My parents supported me all the way. It was just unfortunate that my father could not get additional help from the corporate and government sectors at the peak of my career to further my rankings. I ranked 740 in the ATP rankings when my budget started running out. At this stage, financial assistance was very crucial. An average of $4,000/month is needed to start a tennis player’s professional career. This does not include a budget for a traveling coach.

Besides financial support, my parents always provided me with the best coach and best equipment to help me reach my goals. They would always watch and guide me as much as possible.

Describe your training.

My training sessions are carefully planned. I usually set certain goals and understand what needs to be done to achieve these goals. Once goals are set, I will make an agreement with myself and commit my entire self, no matter how hard and long the road towards the goal is. I take very good care of myself. I do not smoke and drink. I guess being allergic to alcohol helped. I consider my training as sacred and set a very high quality on and off the court. I usually start my day at 5 a.m. by getting ready to practice. Six a.m., I run or go to the gym; 7-10 a.m. is for tennis; 3-5 p.m., tennis again.

I love the work and results. They usually go together. What you put in practice shows in the results of the tournaments. The level where I would like to play at is the level of the Top 10 players in the world and I demand this of myself. It takes a lot of mental focus and emotional stability to deal with the tennis community here in the Philippines. There are lots of problems and politicking. This is frustrating. Nothing much has changed for the Philippine team. All promises and no action.

When did you win your first championship?

I earned my first national junior championship at the age of 13. Then, my first international title was the ITF Brunei Tennis Championship at the age of 15. My first International Men’s Open Title was the Malaysia Nissan Challenge. My first International Championship in Team was the Ghafar Cup in Brunei where we beat Korea for the title.

How does it feel to be a champion/Davis Cupper?

Being a representative of the Philippines is the greatest honor that has been placed on me. The flag on my shirt gives me confidence. The country put its trust in me that I would fight till the last ounce of my energy in order to give glory to the Philippines, its people, my supporters and my parents.

Who is your tennis idol, whether locally and internationally?

I am a big fan of Agassi. In his age, he remains one of the fittest and most disciplined tennis player in history. I also like Felix Barrientos due to his passion in putting 100 percent in practice and in competition. He has so much fire when he plays and this is what makes him shine from the rest of the Filipino tennis players. I also admire Justin Henin for her persistence in becoming the best player in the world. This is starting to show in her last victory in the 2003 French Open. I love her intensity from start to finish.

What do you think of the sport?

Tennis is a great sport to play. It reflects your personality. Your personality reflects the type of game that you play. It improves coordination and fitness. It involves one’s mental, emotional, and physical self.

Do you think tennis is an elitist sport?

It used to be. However, the public is now gaining access to public facilities, especially in the provinces. This is the very first step in getting the community involved in the sport. In Manila, most of the country clubs require memberships to play. Some of them cost millions. The government should provide at least six courts per city. When this happens, the true skill of the Filipinos will be achieved.

Basketball is undeniably the most popular sport here. How can you promote tennis among Filipino youth?

Tennis is a sport that we can excel in internationally. As proven by Paradorn Scrichapan of Thailand, Asians in general can do it since tennis does not require height to perform. It requires skill and Filipinos are one of the most skillful people around the world.

When tennis becomes structured, a person can make tennis as a career either by coaching or playing. When people see this opportunity, Filipinos will strive harder to take advantage of this opportunity. Right now, being the national coach does not mean a lot financially which is very sad since this is the highest position a coach can get.

You were coach of the Ateneo University team. Can you comment on our varsity teams?

I was the coach of the Ateneo tennis team 1999-2000 when they won the UAAP. Then, I was offered the program head position and I took it. This position requires me to integrate the college, high school and grade school programs. At the time that we won the UAAP Crown, support was scarce. Now we have PLDT, Splash Foundation and the Ateneo Tennis Club that consists of Ateneo alumni who play tennis and support the program.

What keeps you busy? Are you still into competitive tennis?

I have a company called Pop-Sport International (PSI). PSI is the exclusive distributor of Forten tennis and badminton accessories in the Philippines. You can find this brand in the leading chain stores in the Philippines.

In addition, PSI is the exclusive distributor of NOVACRYLIC sports surface. NOVACRYLIC is used in two of the Master Series events – the Indian Wells and Canadian Open. It is also used all over the world. PSI also distributes the wood flooring on Anchor Limber and Supply. This flooring is used for basketball, badminton, gym, theater, and residential surfaces.

I also teach tennis after office hours but only selectively.

What are your interests besides tennis?

(Laughing) My main interest if I am not playing tennis is Belinda Panelo. We have been together for seven years now.

Are you into any other sports?

I like basketball, diving, boxing, American football and Ultimate Frisbee.

What makes a good tennis player?

A good tennis player knows the strokes well. He practices hard along his/her comfort zone. A champion has passion, determination, patience, stability and willingness to go beyond the limits of his physical, mental and emotional capabilities. At the same time, he/she enjoys and has fun with the game.

Can you describe the state of Philippine tennis?

It has been the same since I was a kid. There is no system. How can you identify talent, sponsors, coaches, programs, and schools when you do not have a program geared towards all these things? There are a lot of junior events now, but then what? There is no grade school national championship where you can say that this kid is the best in the whole country and not only among those who can afford to go around the Philippines and play the tour.

Can we become competitive internationally?

By first fixing the system so we can produce players yearly. Hopefully in five years’ time, we will have a great number of above average players. From there, we choose 10 players for elimination rounds. Then we choose four to six players that will represent the Philippines in international events.

Who is your greatest inspiration in life right now?

Belinda Panelo. We have helped each other out to improve as individuals. Together, we strive to become more knowledgeable in the things we love to do and those things we are involved with.

Any plans to get married soon?

Definitely! When the time is right, it will happen.

What advice can you give young, aspiring tennis players?

Focus on personal performance instead of results. This way, you are always a winner. Playing your best on practice and in tournaments shows that you give everything that you have. What more can you ask for from yourself?

As a coach, what is the most important quality you look for in a player?

Love for the game and competition. The player must have passion, hard work, patience and understanding that winning is not always everything.

Are there any tennis scholarships being offered by schools these days?

Yes. Usually UAAP, NCAA, WNCAA and NCRAA schools and universities offer scholarships. If you feel that you are good enough, you can apply to the US NCAA schools for a scholarship.

You see a lot of tennis players retiring in their mid-20s. Do you think it is worth training so hard just to have to retire early?

These players have personal goals. When they do not achieve it at a certain age, they decide to continue with their lives in the professional or business world. There is also a time frame to enter a career after tennis.

How has tennis affected your life?

Since tennis has been my life since the tender age of 8, it has affected me tenfold. My businesses have all been tennis-related. Forten for the accessories and Novacrylic for the surfaces.

When you play in a tournament, do you play to please yourself or to please others?

Playing tennis to get the approval of others does not work for me. I play tennis to be the best that I can be given what I have. Looking back through the years and realizing that I have achieved a lot and had set a standard – this makes me feel very fulfilled.

How does it feel to lose?

Losing is a part of any competition. If a player does not understand this possibility, he/she will face lots of disappointment and will lead to quitting something that they like to do. Losing for me is a signal that I still need to improve. I look at it as a positive thing, since my goal is giving my personal best. What more can you do when someone performed better than you? I say congratulations to my opponent and I go back to the tennis court and practice on my shortcomings in the match.

I heard you’re organizing a Joseph Lizardo tournament. Can you tell me about it?

The Joseph Lizardo Educational Tennis Tour comprises events that will give opportunities to players who are good in their respective regions. The top four will be given a chance to win an educational package, tennis package and a travel package to help the parents shoulder the cost of competitive tennis. There will also be a package for the school for their existing program. If they do not have one, we will help them set it up by providing equipment to start them off.

What legacy do you want to leave behind?

What I want is just to make a difference, no matter how little, in the lives of tennis players around the Philippines. I have always believed that tennis is the sport for the Filipino.

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For comments or suggestions, e-mail me at steniecoyiuto@yahoo.com, steniecoyiuto @yahoo.com.